Locomotive-cab spring-seat.



1. P. NICHOLLS.

LOCOMOTIVE CAB SPRING SEAL. APPLICATION FILED NOV. is. 1914.

L2%%,'78, Patented Apr. 17,1917.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

J. P. NICHOLLS.

LOCOMOTIVE CAB SPRING SEAT.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 16.1914.

Patented Apr. 17, 1917.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

JOSEFH P. NICHOLLS, OF DENVER, COLORADO. I

LocoMorrvE-cAB SPRING-SEAT.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 317, 1917.

Application filed November 16, 1914. Serial No. 872,298.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, JOSEPH P. NIoHoLLs, a citizen of the United States, residing in the city and county of Denver and State of (301-. or ado, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Locomotive-Cab. Sprmg- Seats; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others sln'lled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the characters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates to improvements in spring seats, more especially intended for use in the cabs of locomotives, but which may be employed in many other relations where a seat of this general character is required.

A construction of this character is particularly advantageous for use by engineers and firemen on locomotives, for the reason that the vibration or ar incident to railroad travel is injurious to trainmen, particularly those who are obliged to remain practically in one position for a considerable period of time. My object is to provide a device of this character which shall to a large extent, relieve these men from the injurious effects of such vibration, and to this end, the invention consists of a seat member yieldably supported through the instrumentality of spiral springs surroimding bolts which are relatively long and vertically disposed, upon which springs the seat is mounted through the medium of upper and lower pairs of keepers, the upper of which are slidable on the bolts and are engaged by the upper extremities of the spiral springs, whose tension may be regulated by nuts threaded upon the lower extremities of the bolts and bear against the lower keepers, which are also loose on the said bolts.

Having briefly outlined my improved construction, I will proceed to describe the same in detail, reference being made to the accompanying drawing, in which is illustrated an embodiment thereof. In this drawing,

Figure 1 is a front view of my improved spring seat, showing the trolley support, the

seat member being shown in the horizontal position, or the posltion of use.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the structure shown in Fig. 1, or a view lookingin the direction of arrow 2, Fig. 1, the supporting trolley track being shown in cross section.

Fig. 3 is a view similar to -Fig. 2, but showing the seat in the folded or lowered position.

Fig. 4: is a horizontal section taken on the line 4 l, Fig. 1, looking downwardly, or in the direction of the arrow adjacent said ine.

Fig. 5 is a side view of one of the brackets forming the track support of the trolley structure.

Fig. 6 is a front view of the seat illustrating another form of support, or the form employed when it isnot desired to move the seat laterally or endwise of a trolley track as in the form of construction shown in Figs. 1 to 5, inclusive.

Fig. 7 is a section taken on the line 7-7, Fig. 6 looking toward the left.

Fig. 8 is a' detail view illustrating still another form of support for the seat, in which the nuts applied to the upper extremities of the bolts are hook-shaped to engage a cylindrical support.

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary front view of the stationary support for the seat, or the form of support shown in Figs. 6 and 7. In this view, the stationary support which is socured to the wall of the cab or room, is illustrated, as well as the cooperating supporting member carried by the seat structure.

Fig. 10 is a top plan view of the same, or a view looking in'the direction of arrow 10, Fig. 9.

Fig. 11 is a section taken on the line 11-11, Fig. 6, the parts being shown on a larger scale.

The same reference characters indicate the same parts in all the views.

Referring first more especially to the form of construction shown in Figs. 1 to 5, inclusive, let the numeral 5 designate each of two vertically disposed relatively long bolts, upon whose upper and lower portions are slidably supported two pairs of keepers 6 and 7. The keepers of each pair are spaced by and formed integral with upper and lower horizontally disposed bars 8 and 9. The upper and lower keepers are spaced by spiral springs 10, which surround the said bolts between the keepers.

To the upper extremities of the bolts 5 which are threaded for the purpose, are applied nuts 12 which, as shown in the drawing, are screwed thereon and engage eyes 13 formed in the opposite extremities of a horizontal member 1 1, adapted to engage the form of support illustrated in Figs. 9 and 10. In the form of the structure illustrated in Figs. 1 to 5, inclusive, this member 14: performs no function but it is preferred that it be left in position, even when the trolley form of support is used, since it takes up very little room and only slightly spaces the nuts 12 from the upper keepers -G. The upper extremities of these nuts are bifurcated or forked, as shown at 15, rollers 16 being journaled in the upper extremities of the fork arms, there being a space 1'7 between the rollers and the crotch of the fork, to receive a track 18 upon which the seat is laterally movable, or movable in a direction endwise of the track. This track as shown in the drawing, is cylindrical in shape and is adapted to engage openings 19 formed in stationary brackets 20, which are secured to the engine cab or other wall by means of screws 21, or other fastening means. As shown in the drawing, each bracket 20 is provided with three sets of perforations 19,v

the different sets occupying different vertical positions to provide for the vertical adjustment of'the seat, since the supporting track may be caused to engage any set of these perforations. This track may be of any desired length consistent with the space available in the cab or other location where the seat is placed. It is preferred that one extremity 22 of this track be threaded to receive a stop collar 23, which engages the adjacent bracket 20 on one side, while a nut 2 1 threaded into the track engages the bracket on the opposite side. This form of construction secures the track in the desired position of adjustment. The opposite end of the track is plain and is simply inserted in the opening of the corresponding bracket.

To the under surface of the seat are secured two metal members 25, by means of fastening devices, as screws 26. The inner extremities of these members which extend beyond the seat, are elbow-shaped, as shown at 27, whereby the said members are bent downwardly adjacent the supporting structure when the seat is in the raised position, or in the position of use. (See Figs. 1 and 2). The ends of these elbow-portions are bifurcated as shown at 28, to straddle the upper extremities of rods 29, the rods and the bifurcated portion of the seat members being perforated to receive a spindle 30, which forms the hinge pin of the structure. The bifurcated parts 28 rest upon the inner extremities 31 of the upper keepers 6, these extremities of the keepers being perforated as shown at 82, to receive the rods 29 which slide freely therein, the lower portions of are provided with relatively small perforations 35 adapted to receive cotter pins 34, or

' other suitable or similar keys, which may be inserted therein below'the keepers, after the springs 10 have been properly regulated by the use of tension nuts 36 screwed upon the bolts 5 below the keepers 7.

A rectangular frame 37 is hingedly con nected with the rods 29, the trunnions 88 of this frame engaging perforations 39 formed in the upper portions of the rods. This frame is composed of horizontally disposed parallel members 40 and other parallel members 4.1, which space the members 40, the two sets of members L0 and ski being formed integral. The extremity of the frame remote from its extremity which is hinged to the rods 29 as just explained, is provided with extensions 42 which project outwardly beyond the members 11' of the frame and are adapted to engage stop lugs 43 formed on the seat members 25, for the purpose of supporting the seat in the raised position. This supporting frame is readily detached from the seat by slightly raising the latter, in which event, the seat-engaging end of the frame swings downwardly to the position shown in Fig. 3, allowing the seat member proper to swing downwardly to a corresponding position. The seat member proper is designated by the numeral eel.

Where the trolley form of support for the seat structure is employed,I use horizontally disposed wheels or disks 4C5, which are j ournaled on the lower portions of the bolts 5 and engage openings 46 formed in the upper portions of the keepers 7, whereby the said wheels or antifrictional disks, are maintained in the proper position. These disks or wheels are of such diameter, that when the bolts 5 which are vertically disposed, as heretofore explained, occupy a position parallel with the wall 4.7 to which the brackets 20 are secured, the peripheries of the disks 4.5 will bear against the said wall and roll thereon, during the movement of the seat upon the upper supporting track 18.

The upper keepers 6 are also provided with openings 48 in which are located disks 19, in whose upper surfaces are formed relatively shallow recesses or chambers 50, adapted to receive lubricating material. These lubricant receptacles are loose onthe upper portions of the bolts 5, and are adapted to hold a small quantity of relatively thin lubricating material, which will gradually work out and properly lubricate the bolts 5, whereby the springs 10 will be prevented from squeaking during the use of the seat.

In the form of construction shown in Figs. 6 and 7, the trolley supporting feature is dispensed with and two relatively short nuts 51 are applied to the upper extremities of the bolts 5. These nuts perform precisely the same function in connection with the structure, as the nuts 12 in the other form of construction, the nuts 12 are provided with the bifurcated extensions 15 which are necessary in the trolley form of support. In other respects, the two constructions are precisely the same, though, of course, the antifrictional wheels or disks 45, while in place in this form of structure, perform no function, except that by bearing against the wall 47, they properly space the lower portions of the bolts from the wall and maintain the said bolts in vertical parallel relation with the wall.

In this form of construction, the horizontal member 1% engages a longitudinally disposed recess 52 formed in a support 53, which is secured to the wall 47 or other structure, by means of screws or other suitable fastening devices which are inserted in openings 54 formed in upwardly projecting lugs 55. This stationary support 53 is provided with front end lugs 56, and also lugs 57 intermediately located and extending upwardly in front of the member 14: when the latter is in position. The position of the member 1% when engaging the support 53 is illustrated in Fig. 10, which shows the member 1a in place within the said support, the support and the said member being both broken away.

From the foregoin description, the use and operation of my improved sp-ing seat when employed in locomotive cabs, will be readily understood. If the trolley form of supporting structure is employed, the brackets 20 are secured to the wall l? of the cab, as illustrated in Figs. 1 to 5, inclusive. The plain end of the track 1.8 is passed through one of the perforations 19 in one of the brackets, while the other extremity of the track is secured in place in engagement with the other bracket by means of the stop collar 23 and the nut 2%, as heretofore explained. At the same time that this track is applied to the brackets, it is passed through the openings or cavities 17 below the rollers 16 of the bifurcated extremities of the nuts 12, as will be readily understood. The seat is then readily adjustable between the two brackets in a direction lengthwise of the track, whereby the user of the seat may shift his position within reasonable limits within the cab or other place of location. It will be readily understood that even in this form. of the device, the seat is quite readily detachable from the cab. This is an important feature, since it is assumed that each trainman will own the spring seat which he uses and in the event that he is except that transferred from one locomotive to another, he will carry the seat with him and install it in the other cab.

in the form of construction shown in Figs. 6 and 7, after the stationary support 53 has been secured to the wall of the cab or other locality, the seat may be readily applied and detached. ln other words, the member 1% which engages the support 53 from the top, may be lifted out of the said support, or dropped thercinto, according as it is necessary to remove or apply the seat structure. In case each locomotive is not equipped with a support the latter may be readily removed from the wall of the cab by removing the fastening devices, as screws employed, in which event, the trainman will carry this supporting device with him and attach it to the cab of the locomotive to which he is transferred.

In Fig. 8 the modified. form of attaching means is shown which may be used in connection with the trolley rod 18 in place of nut 12 with its bifurcated end 15 and roller 16. The nut 60 is here shown as having integral with its upper end a hook adapted to pass over and be suspended on the rail 18.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is,-

1. A spring seat comprising a seat member, suspended uprights, springs surrounding the said uprights, and an operative connection between the seat member and the springs, whereby the latter form a cushion support for the seat member.

2. In combination, a seat member, uprights suspended from their upper extremities alone, springs surrounding said uprights, and an operative connection between the seat member and the springs, whereby the latter form cushion support for the seat member.

3. The combination with a seat member, spaced uprights, springs surrounding the said uprights, keepers loose and vertically movable on the uprights and engaging the upper extremities of the springs, vertically disposed rods carried by the keepers and located between the spaced uprights and with which the seat member is hingedly connected above the keepers, lower keepers also loose on the uprights and forming guides for the said rods, the lower extremities of the springs engaging the lower keepers, while the seat member bears upon the upper keepers. from above, whereby the springs provide a cushion support for the said member.

l. In combination, a seat member, two spaced uprights, upper and lower keepers loose on the uprights, spiral springs surrounding the uprights and located between the upper and lower keepers, nuts applied to the opposite extremities of the uprights and respectively above and below the keepers, the lower nuts adapted to regulate the tension of the springs, vertically disposed rods carried by the upper keepers and located between the spaced uprights and with which rods the seat member is hingedly connected, the lower keepers having guide openings through which the rods pass.

5. In combination, a seat member, two spaced uprights, upper and lower keepers loose on the uprights, spiral springs surrounding the uprights and located between the upper and lower keepers, nuts applied to the upper extremities of the uprights and respectively above and below the keepers, the lower nuts adapted to regulate the tension of the springs, vertically disposed rods carried by the upper keepers and located between the spaced uprights and with which rods the seat member is hingedly connected, the lower keepers having guide openings through which the rods pass, and means for supporting the seat member in position for use, the said means being hingedly connected with the said rods between the upper and lower keepers, and de tachably connected with the said member, substantially as described.

6. In a seat structure of the class described, the combination with a seat member, uprights transversely spaced, vertically spaced keepers loose on said uprights, springs surrounding the uprights between the two sets of keepers, tension nuts applied to the uprights below the lowermost keepers, and seat-supporting means connected with the uprights above the upper keepers only.

7 In a seat structure of the class described, the combination with a seat member, uprights transversely spaced, vertically spaced keepers loose on said uprights, springs surrounding the uprights between the two sets of keepers, tension nuts applied to the uprights below the lowermost keepers, seat-supporting means connected with the uprights above the upper keepers only,

said means comprising a wall member and a cooperatingmember belonging to the seat structure.

8. In combination, a seat member, trans versely spaced uprights, upper and lower sets of keepers loose on the uprights, spiral springs surrounding the uprights and located between the two sets of keepers, sta tionary supporting means connected with the uprights above the lowermost keeper only, tension nuts applied to the uprights below the lowermost keepers, and an operative connection between the upper keepers and the said member, whereby the latter is yieldably supported by the said springs.

9. In combination, a seat member, transversely spaced uprights, upper and lower keepers loose on said uprights, spiral springs surrounding the uprights and spacing the upper and lower keepers, tension nuts applied to the uprights below the lowermost keepers, rods passing loosely between the two sets of keepers and'extending above the uppermost keepers, the seat member being hingedly connected with the upper extremity of the rods, and supporting means connected with the uprights above the uppermost keepers only.

10. The combination of a seat member, or" uprights spaced in relation thereto, springs surrounding the uprights, which are equipped with stops engaged by the lower extremities of the springs, keepers loose and vertically movable on the uprights, the said springs forming a support for the keepers, shallow lubricant receptacles carried by the keepers, and vertically movable on the uprights, and an operative connection between the seat member and keepers to form a cushion support for the said member.

In testimony whereof I afliX my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOSEPH P. NICIIOLLS.

Witnesses Maze KmBY, A. EBERT OBRIEN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

- Washington, D. G. 

